Dense high-speed scintillator material of low afterglow
The invention relates to an inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu (2-y) Y (y-z-x) Ce x M z Si (1-v) M′ v O 5 , in which: M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal and M′ represents a trivalent metal, (z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2; z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and y ranging from (x+z) to 1. In particular, this material may equip scintillation detectors for applications in industry, for the medical field (scanners) and/or for detection in oil drilling. The presence of Ca in the crystal reduces the afterglow, while stopping power for high-energy radiation remains high.
1. An inorganic LSO-type scintillator material comprising Lu, Si, O, and Ca, wherein Ca reduces an afterglow.
2. An inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu (2-y) Ce x Ca z SiO 5 , in which:
z being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.05;
x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and
y being equal to (x+z).
3. The material as claimed in claim 2 , wherein z is less than to 0.01.
4. The material as claimed in claim 2 , wherein z is between 0.0002 and 0.001.
5. The material as claimed in claim 2 , wherein x is greater than 0.0001 and less than 0.001.
6. An inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu (2-y) Ce x M z Si (1-v) M′ v O 5 , in which:
M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal ion and M′ represents a trivalent metal,
(z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2;
z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2;
v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2;
x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and
y being equal to (x+z).
7. The material as claimed in claim 6 , wherein (z+v) is greater than or equal to 0.0002.
8. The material as claimed in claim 6 , wherein (z+v) is less than or equal to 0.05.
9. The material as claimed in claim 6 , wherein (z+v) is less than or equal to 0.01.
10. The material as claimed in claim 6 , wherein (z+v) is less than 0.001.
11. The material as claimed in claim 6 , wherein x is greater than 0.0001 and less than 0.001.
12. A method for reducing an afterglow of an inorganic LSO-type scintillator material comprising Lu, Si, O wherein a divalent alkaline earth metal ion M or a trivalent metal M′ is added to said material.
13. A method for reducing an afterglow of an inorganic LSO-type scintillator material comprising Lu, Si, O wherein Ca is added to said material.
14. A method for limiting an afterglow of a scintillator LSO-type material comprising a trivalent rare-earth ion and a tetravalent silicon atom, wherein a divalent alkali metal ion M is introduced in said scintillator material for substituting for a trivalent rare-earth ion, or a trivalent metal ion M′ is introduced in said scintillator material for substituting for a tetravalent silicon atom.
15. A scintillation detector comprising the inorganic LSO-type scintillator material of claim 1 .
16. A CT (Computed Tomography) scanner comprising the detector of claim 15 .
17. A scintillation detector comprising the inorganic scintillator material of claim 2 .
18. A CT (Computed Tomography) scanner comprising the detector of claim 17 .
19. A scintillation detector comprising the inorganic scintillator material of claim 6 .
20. A CT (Computed Tomography) scanner comprising the detector of claim 19 .